Bob Finan's Riverhead Raceway Feature Finishes for 8/11
ROOKIE DONNY LIA SHOWS THE WAY AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
Riverhead, N.Y. Aug. 11th.
By, Bob Finan
Impressive NASCAR Modified rookie Donny Lia of Merrick scored a clean sweep of the Ideal Cesspools 50 this past Saturday night when he backed up his fast time in time trials with his first career victory at Riverhead Raceway. The talented
freshman driver earned $1,550 for his Miller Lite night triumph.
After turning an 11.979 in time trials Donny Lia drew the pole for the 22 car-starting grid with Mike Curtis picking the outside pole. After a first attempt to start the race resulted in a quick yellow the second try saw Lia miss a shift off
turn four allowing Curtis to race to the early lead, with John Fortin coming to second. The leading tandem ran in that order for the first six laps of the race before a lap 6 restart that saw Fortin ride the outside lane by Curtis for the lead at the start of the 7th cycle. Just a lap later Lia
re-entered the fight for the lead as he worked his way by Curtis for second on lap 8 and set sail for race leader Fortin.
For the next 11 laps Lia glued himself to Fortin's rear spoiler, looking to the outside for the most part as a way by. After that lane didn't work Lia then concentrated his efforts to the inside and on lap 20 heading into the first and
second corner he was able to work his way under Fortin. By the time the duo raced off the second turn Donny had a good run and took the lead from John who gave him plenty of racing room as they raced toward the third corner. Once in front Lia then opened himself a comfortable lead that he would
enjoy right to victory lane for his first career victory.
"I don't know what to say, this is great" the young talent commented afterward. After gathering his thoughts Lia commented, "I can't thank my father of Huntington Honda enough, he's been behind this racing effort since day one.
I also have to thank my crew chief Richie Niemic, Rob Nicola of ERD Race Engines and Nucom Industries. The car was just super tonight and I had a good feeling about this race since the middle of the week, it's truly a dream come true".
John Fortin of Holtsville not only collected runner-up money in the Abbott Hart Cove Marina Chevy, but also took over the point lead as well. Early race leader Mike Curtis of Riverhead drove a solid race all evening long to post a third place
tally in the T.S. Haulers Pontiac. J.R. Bertuccio of Centereach and Wayne Anderson of Yaphank completed the top five.
In one of the wildest yet most popular conclusions to a Late Model main event "Mighty" Mike Mortimer of Mastic Beach took home his first win of the 2001 season in the L.I. Freightliner/Tobay Printing 50. The win was worth $900 to
Mike including a $250 Sunoco Race Fuel bonus. Greg Kleila set the fast time in time trials for the race with a 12.636 effort, but redrew 6th while Larry LaFountaine and Mike Mortimer drew the front row. "Lafo" LaFountaine lead Mike Mortimer to turn one on the first lap, with
"Mighty" Mike chasing Larry for the first five laps. On lap six Roger Oxee raced under Mortimer for second in turn one and then went to work on race leader LaFountaine. Again using the inside line Roger passed Larry in the third corner for the lead on lap 17. One lap later
LaFountaine lost second to Sean Egan on an 18th lap double file restart that found Egan also using the inside lane to complete the pass.
Suddenly just after a 45th lap restart disaster struck race leader Roger Oxee as something in the suspension of his car broke throwing his car into a first turn spin. This vaulted Steve Tooker into the lead; Steve who had passed Sean Egan for
second on lap 37 for second was then just four laps from victory. However on lap 48 exiting turn two Egan got too close to Tooker and they touched with Tooker spinning into the infield and the black flag waving for Egan. This wild turn of events played right into the hands of Mike Mortimer who raced
his way from third place to victory lane in the Tobay Printing Pontiac. Egan had also crossed the line in a photo finish, but due to the black flag was not a factor. A wild crowd of sponsors and well-wishers in the winner's circle greeted Mortimer.
Kevin Metzger of Massapequa was runner-up in the West End Supply Ford, while early leader Larry LaFountaine of Miller Place was third in the McDonalds of Riverhead entry.
Steve Ratti of Manorville made a daring three wide move for the lead payoff in his third victory of the season in the 20-lap Charger feature event.
Bob Ehlich and Chris Beutler paced the field for the first 3 laps of the tilt running 1-2. Richie Carman raced his way by rookie driver Beutler for second on the 4th lap with an outside pass on the back stretch. A 5th lap restart set the stage for the wild three way race for
the lead, as exiting turn two Ehlich drifted a touch high with Carman to his outside. Steve Ratti who raced his way from 6th to 3rd saw the door open to the inside and raced to the low side and by the time the threesome got to turn three they were three wide. Ratti came away with the lead with
Carman second and Ehlich third. Carman was all over Ratti and in fact tried another outside move during their race for the top spot, but on lap 11 Richie was forced to the infield with a left front flat. This moved Chris Beutler back into the mix. He raced his way back to second and set his sights
on race leader Ratti. However the veteran Steve Ratti scored the win in the P.J. Wyer Construction Pontiac. Chris Beutler of Medford would have to be happy with runner-up honors in the NDA Construction racer, while "Flying" Brian Schwarz of Riverhead was third in the Sound Ave Equipment
entry.
After 10 years of trying Sean Byrne of Brentwood finally enjoyed the thrill of victory when he won the 20-lap Blunderbust feature event. Dale Rina set the early tone of the race leading the first 4 laps with Tom Sullivan, Tom Walkowiak and
Sean Byrne all giving chase. On lap five Byrne ducked low racing in the second corner on Rina in a bid for the lead that saw Sean take over the top spot with that move. Rina ran second until lap 14 when all of a sudden his left rear wheel came off the car ending his effort. This moved Chris McGuire
to second and with six laps to go when the green waved after the caution for Rina, McGuire had little time to waste if he was to earn his first career win. However with victory in sight there was no stopping Sean Byrne and he drove a flawless race over those final six laps to claim victory in the
T.J.'s Auto Collision Lincoln. Chris McGuire of Shirley would have to be content with a runner-up finish in the Celltronics entry, while Chris Chirico of Huntington was third in the Eddy's Trailer Sales Chevy.
The 3rd annual School Bus Demolition Derby was held and in the 10-bus event "Slim" Jim Donaldson of Shirley was the winner in a wild affair. Donaldson outlasted a strong field of competitors that included the first School Bus
Demolition Derby Bob "Whiplash" Genovese. Also taking part in the event were "Irish" Mike O'Keefe and Enduro veteran Walter Stroud Jr. Aside from the usual smashing and crashing of the full size School Buses a light pole fell victim during the contest when Lou Gazzola's bus
backed full bore into the pole knocking out the infield lights in the first and second turn.
copied with permission from Bob Finan